Helical Spring With Internal Toroidal Damping Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vibration attenuation systems face challenges in effectively damping vibrational energy transmission, particularly when systems include multiple oscillators, due to constraints in physical placement and type of damping elements, leading to potential damage or catastrophic failure at resonant frequencies.
Innovation Solution
A vibration attenuation system comprising a helical spring with toroidal damping elements positioned within the inner volume, engaging with the coils to dissipate energy through frictional and compressive forces, and a safety leash to manage catastrophic energy release, ensuring efficient damping across a range of frequencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If damping elements are coupled to springs to dissipate vibrational energy, then the transmissibility of the system is decreased, but the physical placement and type of damping elements are constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The damping element is positioned within the inner volume of the helical spring, with the inner member extending into the spring's coils. This nested configuration allows the damping element to be integrated within the spring structure itself, eliminating separate mounting requirements and reducing physical placement constraints while maintaining effective vibration attenuation.
2Reliability
If multiple oscillators require damping, then vibrational energy is dissipated, but the complexity of engineering challenges is multiplied
Solution Approach 1:
The damping element is integrated within the spring's inner volume, combining the damping function with the spring structure. This merged design allows multiple oscillators to be damped using a unified approach, reducing the multiplication of engineering challenges that would arise from separate damping systems for each oscillator.
3Reliability
If a damper is coupled to a spring, then oscillatory motion is attenuated, but the complexity of coupling presents engineering challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The damping element is nested within the spring's inner volume, with the inner member extending into the coil structure. This integration eliminates the need for separate coupling mechanisms, reducing the engineering challenges associated with coupling dampers to springs while maintaining effective oscillatory motion attenuation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively attenuates vibrational energy transmission by engaging damping elements with the helical coils, reducing the likelihood of damage and failure by dissipating energy over an acceptable time frame, even at resonant frequencies, thereby enhancing the safety and durability of coupled structures.
Implementation Method 1
engaging with the coils to dissipate energy through frictional and compressive forces
Implementation Method 2
engaging with the coils to dissipate energy through frictional and compressive forces
Implementation Method 3
springs release the stored potential energy in the form of mechanical work via the restoring force, often resulting in oscillatory motion
Implementation Method 4
the first damping element engages at least one of the plurality of helical coils and attenuates the transmission of at least a portion of the input signal
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
A vibration attenuation system (100) for attenuating a transmission of an input signal is disclosed. The system includes a helical spring (104), a first terminal (120), and a first damping element (150). The helical spring (104) includes a plurality of helical coils, a first end (102), and a second end (106). The plurality of helical coils define an inner volume of the helical spring (104) intermediate the first and second ends (102, 106). The first terminal (120) includes a first inner member (140). The first terminal (120) is coupled to the first end (102) of the helical spring (104). The first inner member (140) extends into the inner volume of the helical spring (104). The first damping element (150) is positioned on the first inner member (140). The first damping element (150) is within the inner volume of the helical spring (104). When the input signal is provided to the helical spring (104), the first damping element (150) engages the helical coils and attenuates the transmission the input signal.